Adoption Background Request
Adoptee, Birth Parents, Siblings of Adoptees: Are you looking for one another? We can help!
If you are an ADOPTEE or a BIRTH PARENT: Select the questions below that pertain to what you are looking for:
If you are an ADOPTEE or a SIBLING of an adoptee: Select the questions below that pertain to what you are looking for:
- I am an adoptee or a sibling of an adoptee, how can I make contact (page8)with my sibling?
- I am an adoptee or a sibling of an adoptee, how can I petition the court for a confidential intermediary (page 9) to locate my sibling?
In addition to the services noted above, you may also consider obtaining documents related to the adoption from the superior court:
How to obtain original birth certificate (page 10) from the superior court?
How to obtain adoption records (page 12) from the superior court?
How Can I Make Contact with My Child or Birth Parents?
California has a Mutual Consent Program that is administered by either the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) or the licensed California public or private adoption agency that handled the adoption.
With the Mutual Consent Program, an adoptee may complete a Consent for Contact (AD 904) form and submit it to the CDSS or the licensed California adoption agency that handled the adoption. If the CDSS or the licensed California adoption agency receives a consent form from the adult adoptee (18 years of age or older) and one from his/her birth parent(s), names and addresses can be disclosed to both parties so they may contact one another. The law prohibits the CDSS and licensed California adoption agencies from soliciting consents and providing search services for adoptees or birth parents.
If you do not know which licensed California adoption agency handled your adoption, you may mail your Consent for Contact form to the CDSS at the address below. We will search our records to determine who maintains your adoption file. If the CDSS maintains your adoption file, we will process your consent form. If a licensed California adoption agency maintains your adoption file, we will return your consent form along with the address of the agency, so that you may mail the form directly to them.
If your adoption was completed on or after January 1, 1984, read more…(page 7)
How Can I Get Non-Identifying Background Information About
The Family That Adopted My Child?
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) or the licensed California public or private adoption agency that handled the adoption can provide non-identifying background information about the birth parents to the adoptees. The information provided includes general facts about the birth parents and their medical history. This service is available only for adoptions that were finalized in California. Some licensed private adoption agencies may charge a fee for this service.
You may request this information by writing directly to the licensed California adoption agency, if known, or to the CDSS. Your letter must include your name, date and place of birth, and your adoptive parents’ full names. Your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public. The CDSS does not accept requests submitted by email or by fax. Please send your request to the licensed California adoption agency or to the CDSS at the following address:
California Department of Social Services
Adoptions Support Unit
744 P Street, M.S. 8-12-31
Sacramento, CA 95814
If you do not know which licensed California adoption agency handled your adoption:
You may mail your letter to the CDSS and we will search our records to determine who maintains your adoption file
- If the CDSS maintains your adoption file, we will process your request
- If a licensed California adoption agency maintains your adoption file, we will return your letter along with the address of the agency, so that you may mail your letter directly to them.
How Do I Make Contact With My Sibling
Through the Mutual Consent Program, adoptees and siblings may submit a Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality for Siblings form. Please see below to determine which form you should complete.
Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality for Siblings (AD 904A) form from the adult adoptee and one from his or her sibling, names and addresses can be disclosed to both parties so they may contact one another. The law prohibits the CDSS and licensed California adoption agencies from soliciting waivers.
Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality for Siblings - Under the Age of 18 (AD 904B) form from the adoptee and one from his or her sibling, names, addresses, and phone numbers can be disclosed to both parties so they may contact one another. The adoptive parent, birth parent, legal parents or guardian must also sign the waiver form. The law prohibits the CDSS and licensed California adoption agencies from soliciting waivers.
How Can I Petition the Court for a Confidential Intermediary to Locate My Sibling?
If you know you have a sibling and wish to seek contact with him or her, you must first submit a Waiver of Rights to Confidentiality for Siblings form (AD 904A or AD 904B) to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) or the licensed California adoption agency that handled the adoption.
If your sibling has not submitted a waiver form to the CDSS or the licensed California adoption agency, you may petition the county superior court where the adoption was finalized, under California Family Code 9205, to request that a confidential intermediary be appointed. The confidential intermediary will attempt to contact your sibling and ask if he or she would be interested in completing a waiver form.
Please contact the clerk's office of the county superior court where the adoption was finalized on how to petition the court. Use the link below to find the appropriate superior court’s contact information.
County Superior Courts
http://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm